కొత్తనీళ్ళకు చేపలెదురెళ్ళినట్లు
kottanillaku chepaledurellinatlu
Like fish swimming against the current of fresh waters.
This expression describes someone who is full of enthusiasm and vigor when faced with new opportunities or a fresh start. Just as fish instinctively swim upstream when fresh rainwater enters a stream, it refers to people moving forward with great zeal and energy towards something new or exciting.
Related Phrases
పిల్లకాయలకూ పీటకోళ్లకూ చలిలేదు
pillakayalaku pitakollaku chaliledu
Children and the legs of a stool do not feel the cold. To a child all weather is cold.
This expression is used to describe how children are so active and energetic that they don't seem to feel the cold even in winter. Just as the inanimate wooden legs of a stool (peetakoallu) are unaffected by the weather, children playing outdoors often ignore the cold temperature.
వేణ్ణీళ్ళకు చన్నీళ్ళు తోడైనట్టు
vennillaku channillu todainattu
Like adding cold water to hot water
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small amount of help or contribution is added to a larger effort. It signifies how even a minor assistance can complement or complete a task, much like how cold water helps bring boiling water to a usable temperature.
వేడినీళ్లకు చన్నీళ్లు, చన్నీళ్లకు వేడినీళ్లు.
vedinillaku channillu, channillaku vedinillu.
Cold water to hot water, hot water to cold water. The beneficial union of different dispositions.
This expression is used to describe mutual assistance or small contributions that complement each other. Just as mixing hot and cold water brings them to a comfortable temperature, it signifies how people help one another according to their capacity, or how small favors are returned to maintain balance in relationships.
కలకవేసిన చేప వలకు రాకుండా పోతుందా?
kalakavesina chepa valaku rakunda potunda?
Will a fish in disturbed water escape the net?
This proverb implies that when a situation is intentionally disrupted or 'stirred up', the target will eventually be caught or the desired result will be achieved. It is used to suggest that once the process of entrapment or investigation has begun, the outcome is inevitable.
చన్నీళ్ళకు వేన్నీళ్ళు తోడు
channillaku vennillu todu
Hot water added to cold water
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people or things provide mutual support, even if one's contribution is small. It often refers to a husband and wife or partners helping each other to make life more comfortable and manageable, just as mixing hot and cold water results in a pleasant temperature.
కొత్త నీళ్లకు చేపలెదురెక్కినట్టు.
kotta nillaku chepaledurekkinattu.
Like fish going against the stream. Undertaking a difficult task. It is hard to swim against the stream. (Dutch.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is overly enthusiastic or eager to embrace new opportunities or changes, much like fish that instinctively swim against the current when fresh rainwater flows into a water body. It can also signify acting with sudden, renewed vigor.
తలకు చుట్ట అడిగినట్లు
talaku chutta adiginatlu
Like asking for a head wrap for the head.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a request or demand that is redundant, obvious, or perfectly suited to the immediate need, often implying that what is being asked for is already essential or inevitable. It is frequently used when a person asks for something they are clearly entitled to or which is a natural fit for the context.
నాడు కట్టా లేదు, నేడు చించా లేదు.
nadu katta ledu, nedu chincha ledu.
Neither on that day did I put it on, nor on this day have I torn it.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is consistently lazy, indifferent, or irresponsible. It refers to a person who didn't take the effort to wear/tie a garment properly in the past and doesn't bother about it being torn or ruined in the present. It characterizes a state of having no cares, no progress, and no sense of responsibility regardless of the time or situation.
Said by a poor fellow who had never had the pleasure of putting on a good cloth or the annoyance of tearing it.
పోయిన నీళ్ళకు కట్ట కట్టినట్లు
poyina nillaku katta kattinatlu
Like building a dam after the water has already flowed away
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
చేప పిల్లకు ఈత నేర్పవలెనా?
chepa pillaku ita nerpavalena?
Must you teach a young fish to swim ?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone possesses an innate talent or natural skill inherited from their ancestors or environment. It implies that certain skills come naturally to people based on their background, and they do not require formal training for them.
Don't teach fish to swim. (French.)*